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With speculation rife on whether the Magpies will offer the pair new deals, we assess all five players who will be hoping for a new deal in the Summer and give you the chance to vote on whether they should remain on Tyneside next season and beyond.

Vurnon Anita

Newcastle’s utility man was Benitez’s most frequently used player at the beginning of the season, starting the first eight league games.

However, his red card in September’s 2-0 defeat to Wolves opened the door for DeAndre Yedlin, who has since cemented himself as the number one right-back, after the initial tussle between the pair to make the position their own.

Newcastle United players in training during international break (Image: Newcastle United)

Anita’s ability to play in a number of different positions makes him a positive option for Rafa Benitez and he has plenty of previous Premier League experience to offer, should United achieve promotion.

He will only be 28 by the season’s end and Benitez is clearly a fan of the former Ajax star. However, the club are only prepared to offer Anita reduced terms to stay on Tyneside, with Summer arrivals likely to make Anita struggle for regular first-team football.

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Would you give Anita a new deal?

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Yoan Gouffran

The renaissance of Yoan Gouffran this year has been nothing short of remarkable and he has gone from a player who was just going to let his contract run down to one of the Magpies’ key performers.

After a prolific start to life on Tyneside, Gouffran’s confidence seemed to decline as rapidly as United’s performances on the pitch and by the end of last season, his days on Tyneside looked numbered.

Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion at the American Express Community Stadium, Yoan Gouffran starts up front (Image: The Chronicle)

The Frenchman didn’t get a look-in at the start of this season either but a good performance at Bristol City followed by a wonder goal at Derby led to Gouffran becoming one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Five goals and four assists in 33 appearances represents a pretty healthy return, but questions must be asked about whether the 30-year-old could replicate this form in the Premier League - should Newcastle seal promotion.

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Would you give Gouffran a new deal?

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Christian Atsu (loan deal being made permanent)

The Ghanaian has impressed during his loan spell on Tyneside so far and there is an option to make the deal permanent this Summer.

After failing to establish himself at Chelsea and struggling in loan spells at Everton and Bournemouth, Atsu seems to have found his feet in Newcastle and is beginning to show the quality which persuaded Chelsea to bring him to West London from FC Porto.

Christian Atsu of Newcastle United (30) controls the ball during the Sky Bet Championship Match between Newcastle United and Fulham (Image: Newcastle United)

Atsu has attracted interest from Turkish Super Lig title challengers Istanbul BB but Benitez has insisted that Newcastle have first refusal to make the deal permanent in the summer.

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Should Newcastle sign Christian Atsu on a permanent deal?

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Sammy Ameobi

The 24-year-old was loaned out to Bolton at the start of the season with his opportunities at Newcastle limited.

Ameobi impressed at the Macron Stadium and returned to Tyneside with a chance of returning to the first team picture, and came off the bench three times in January.

Sammy Ameobi (Image: The Chronicle)

However he hasn’t made an appearance since – although he did score twice for the under-23’s side 11 days ago.

Ameobi’s services may be called upon during the end of season run-in, but it is highly doubtful that it will continue beyond then.